Lamb of God: Singing of Christ, the Lamb of God (Agnus Dei in Latin), is not unique to Lent, but this imagery appears in sharper focus in the Church’s song during this season. In Matins, the congregation sings, “Praise to You, O Christ, Lamb of our salvation,” in place of “Alleluia.” Additionally, praying the Litany (LSB pp. 288-289) is a discipline that many individuals and congregations observe in Lent. In this Litany, a three-fold prayer to Christ, the Lamb of God, is included: L Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, C have mercy. L Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, C have mercy. L Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, C grant us Your peace. Paul Gerhardt’s magnificent hymn sings of Christ, the Lamb of God, in a very personal way: A Lamb goes uncomplaining forth, The guilt of sinners bearing And, laden with the sins of earth, None else the burden sharing; Goes patient on, grows weak and faint, To slaughter led without complaint, That spotless life to offer, He bears the stripes, the wounds, the lies, The mockery, and yet replies, “All this I gladly suffer.” (“A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth,” LSB, 438, v.1) Congregations that regularly sing the Divine Service are familiar with various settings of the Agnus Dei, whether it begins “O Christ, Thou Lamb of God,” “Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world” or in another translation. This hymn with its easy, repeating phrases, is simple enough for very young children to learn and remember. Another version appears as Hymn 434, “Lamb of God, Pure and Holy.” Most significantly, as we sing the Agnus Dei in the communion liturgy, Christ the Lamb of God is present on the altar to feed the Christian with His body and blood. Another more recent hymn by Rev. Stephen Starke sings of the Agnus Dei using Christ’s own words: Lamb of God, once slain for sinners, Host, who spreads this meal divine, Here You pledge our sins are covered, Pledge received in bread and wine: “Take and eat; this is My body, Given on the cross for you. Take and drink; this cup of blessing Is My blood poured out for you.” (“In the Shattered Bliss of Eden,” v.4, Stephen Starke, 2002)
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Discipline: The word discipline sometimes has a negative connotation, such as when parents admonish misbehaving children. But the root word of discipline is the same as disciple. To be disciplined is to learn, and the Church’s Lenten hymns discipline us as we learn of Christ and “grow in holiness” (LSB 447:17). The Church’s song gives us time and opportunity to ponder Christ’s passion: Jesus, I will ponder now On Your holy passion; With Your Spirit me endow For such meditation. Grant that I in love and faith May the image cherish Of Your suff’ring, pain, and death That I may not perish. (“Jesus, I Will Ponder Now,” LSB, 440, v.1) In congregations where the rich choral tradition of the Church is cultivated, more opportunities exist to ponder and learn of the Passion of Christ. Settings of the Passion narratives and of the Seven Words of Christ from the cross abound for choirs and vocalists, as well as musical settings of other scriptural texts that help us ponder the Passion. The verses of Isaiah 52 and 53 have been set to music by various composers, and a new setting of these verses for choir and instruments by composer Kenneth Kosche will make its debut at CTS this spring (see page 10). Comfort: In a sin-filled world marked with hopelessness, fear, guilt and anxiety, the hymns of Lent provide an alternative: hope, comfort, forgiveness and peace. These are not mere positive-thinking maxims; they are reality, based on the real presence of Christ in His Word and Sacraments, given for you. Johann Heermann’s hymn, “Jesus, Grant That Balm and Healing,” speaks to the Christian with comfort and peace in all manner of affliction: Jesus, grant that balm and healing In Your holy wounds I find, Ev’ry hour that I am feeling Pains of body and of mind. Should some evil thought within Tempt my treach’rous heart to sin, Show the peril, and from sinning Keep me from its first beginning. (LSB, 421, v.1) As we “fix our eyes on Jesus” in the song of the Church during Lent, it is a comforting discipline that serves us our entire life; indeed, until life’s end, when our eyes shall see our crucified, resurrected, ascended Lord face to face:
For the Life of the World